// Announcing the SEA Scribblers short story contest

Once upon a time (in September) three friends met and plotted and started a brilliant idea percolating. The names of these three friends are Schuyler and Emily. Also, Annie (*waves at everyone*).

Their clever Idea continued to percolate as Ideas do and quite suddenly it become:

The…….

Humans?

Behold our first ever creative writing contest!

But, before you panic and run the other way because NaNoWriMo is a beast that eats all your time and inspiration, I have a thing to say: our contest deadline extends into the second week of December and our word limit is 3,000. You could scrawl that on a weekend, you could write it as a flash fiction when you need to think about something besides NaNo or you could do it just because PRIZES.

Basically, the contest is open to all and sundry (who is Sundry anyways) and there will be three winners. Yes, three.

I can’t tell you how excited I am about this! Schuyler, Emily, and I have been brainstorming for weeks now and I think this will be an amazing contest, y’all.

Before we chat Contest Stuffage I must say another thing: I don’t know if you’ve ever heard about this or not (*cough*) but there was a group of writing friends who once decided to call themselves the Inklings (*cough*). Naturally, they became famous and, naturally, the Inkling title was off-limits to all others. The nerve. Anywho. Since we couldn’t use that particular title the three of us gals decided to combine the initals of our first names, hence, The SEA Scribblers. Clever much? I think yes.

Now.

Time for the contest jargon. I do apologize for keeping you waiting. Have a chocolate chip?

Here’s how it works, cyber-dears.

The Challenge

Choose one or all of the prompt photos on our blogs to incorporate into a short story, along with a winter or Christmas theme. (looking for clever creativity on weaving in the winter or Christmas theme!) Write a short story of 3,000 words or less, and send it in to seascribblerscontest[AT]gmail[DOT]com by December the 12th, following the rules below.

Which means you have over a month to brainstorm and scribble, my friends!

Now for the rules and (what’s far more thrilling) the prizes:

The Rules:
1. All entries must be submitted to seascribblerscontest[at]gmail[dot]com by December 12, 2015, midnight EST. Files should be .doc files.

2. Entries should be no more than 3,000 words. There is no minimum word requirement. Entries must use one of the photo prompts provided, and contain a Christmas or winter theme. Contestants may submit up to three seperate entries, but only one entry can win.

3. Email subject line should read “Entry for 2015 SEA Scribblers Short Story Contest” and should not contain your story title.

4. Entries should be in Times New Roman, size 12 font.

5. Entries will be judged for creative use of the photo prompt(s), style, and grammar.

6. No language or inappropriate scenes/explicit sex please.

7. Judges for the contest are Annie Hawthorne, Emily Hayse, and Schuyler McConkey.

8. Winners will be notified by email and announced online on Saturday, December 19th.

9. The winning entries will be posted on the judges’ blogs. All stories remain the property of their owners, but may be used for promotional purposes in connection with the contest.

10. The Art of War for Writers will be shipped to contestants outside the US from The Book Depository. However, the bookmark will only be shipped to US entrants, and if a person outside the US wins second place, a digital prize will be substituted.

The Prizes:

1. First place winner will receive a paperback copy of The Art of War for Writers, by James Scott Bell and a digital copy of The Rakshasa’s Bride, by Suzannah Rowntree.

2. Second place winner will receive a digital anthology of short stories by Annie, Emily, and Schuyler, as well as a bookmark.

3. Third place winner will receive a $10 giftcard to The Book Depository.

I told you it was thrilling. But! You haven’t even seen my photo prompt yet.

For two more prompts (remember, you can use one or all three, but don’t forget to weave in a holiday or winter theme) trot over to Schuyler’s blog and Emily’s blog.
I am already dying by inches in anticipation to see what you all come up with. It’ll be fantastic.

By all means, spread the word to your friends and relations and arch-enemies and random strangers on the street! (okay, maybe not the last one.) Oh, and if you have any questions, feel free to email us at seascribblerscontest[at]gmail[dot]com.

This picture is GORGEOUS!!! *already coming up with lots and lots of ideas* Must check out the other posts, too. Man, I want to do this soooo bad… *crosses fingers for time* I think this is the same day as the deadline for Brock Eastman’s contest, too…

Oh, splendid, Tracy! I would, of course, be thrilled if you could enter. Also, you’re writing a re-telling for Rooglewood? That’s very exciting. I hope you make it!

To answer your questions: first, you can enter up to three stories, but only ONE can win. We forgot to mention that in the rules. O.o Secondly, yes, the contest is open internationally! The only difference is if the second place winner is outside of the US they will win a gift card (along with our story collection) instead of the bookmark. 🙂

And yes indeed, I am putting the finishing touches on my retelling. It’s been crazy, but so much fun. Thanks for the well wishes! These Rooglewood contests have been such a pleasure, I feel like I win every time. ^_^

I love this idea, and am so happy to have found bloggers who write as well as read! I may be interested in taking part, if i can find the ideas/time, this late in the game 😉

A couple of (admittedly, pernickety) questions…

4. Entries should be in Times New Roman, size 12 font.
Why? I’ve submitted work other place before, and no where has ever been so specific on font and size… (It can so easily be changed, anyway, what’s the bother?)

6. No language or inappropriate scenes/explicit sex please.
No language? So the stories should be told in images, only? Interpretive dance videos? 😉

Aww, I’m so glad you like it. And I’m delighted to meet another fellow writer. 🙂 And, of course, would be absolutely thrilled if you join in the fun — there’s still a week(ish) left!

Ahh, as for Rule 4. that was because one of us Scribblers was concerned we might end up having entries with tiny, unreadable font. You don’t have to type your entry in that size or font, but just change it to the contest requirements before you send it in! *nodnod*

*snortlaughs* I’d love to see what creative entries you would come up with. 😉 XD